February 11, 2026
Last month highlighted key pulses initiatives amid growing emphasis on sustainable food systems, with campaigns promoting consumption and policies addressing nutrition and safety. Read on to get the full down-low.
The Food Foundation. The campaign aims to double bean consumption by 2028 for health and sustainability benefits.
Global efforts centered on World Pulses Day preparations, with FAO announcing the 2026 theme "Pulses of the world: from modesty to excellence" to spotlight pulses' nutritional, environmental, and culinary value. The INCREASE project launched "The Taste of Pulses" campaign, encouraging recipe sharing and citizen science for legume cultivation across Europe.
In the UK, the "Bang in Some Beans" campaign led by the Food Foundation and with the support of the National Lottery and the Beans is How coalition gained traction in January, backed by celebrity chefs like Jamie Oliver and retailers such as Lidl and Sainsbury's aiming to double bean consumption by 2028 for health and sustainability benefits.
Australia kicked off preparations for Pulses Week (February 9-15) with the Grain and Legumes Nutrition Council’s (GLNC) "Level Up with Legumes" campaign, promoting affordable, nutrient-rich pulses like lentils and chickpeas via recipes and health professional webinars.
The new U.S. Dietary Guidelines place strong focus on protein consumption.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos (January 19-23), food systems resilience took center stage amid climate and economic challenges, with discussions on agri-food value chains and innovations sparking cross-cutting dialogues with groups including PepsiCo and the World Farmers’ Organization.
The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for 2025-2030, released January 7, 2026, highlight pulses as nutrient-dense whole foods rich in protein and fiber, retaining the 1.5 cups/week recommendation despite calls for increases. This reinforces pulses' role in addressing fiber shortfalls and promoting whole-food patterns over processed options.
Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this publication are those of the authors or quoted persons. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Global Pulse Confederation or its members.
